Screaming Eagles Romp To Victory In Saint John
The Screaming Eagles broke the game open in the third period en route to a 5-0 victory over the Saint John Sea Dogs at Harbour Station Saturday night.
While the Eagles had more chances in the opening period, the first 20 minutes would give no indication of a blowout as both teams generated their share of opportunities. It would be the visitors striking first though, as Wilson Forest set up in front of the net on the power play and put it through Alex D’Orio to make it a 1-0 score that would hold at period’s end.
It would also hold at the end of the middle period, even though there were multiple power play opportunities for both teams. Saint John took back to back minors to begin the period and spent four of the first five minutes in the penalty box. After they dodged that bullet, it would be Cape Breton getting into penalty trouble. With Isiah Campbell already in the penalty box, both Mitchell Balmas and Noah Laaouan would be sent to the box and the Eagles had to deal with a full two minute 5 on 3 against.
The Eagles would completely control the game in the final stanza, making life difficult for Alex D’Orio and early. Just 22 seconds into the period, D’Orio anticipated a puck rolling to him behind the net, but with the puck moving slower than expected, Gabriel Proulx won the race to it and dished to Egor Sokolov. Sokolov would skate around the goal and double the lead for the Eagles.
Less than a minute later, it was a 3-0 game when Ryan Francis wired the puck over the shoulder of D’Orio.
Next to join the scoring parade was Liam Kidney. Kidney chased a rebound as the puck bounced off both posts and lay in the crease. Kidney jabbed at the loose puck and put it over the goal line for his first career goal, coming at the 9:22 mark. The Eagles had scored three goals before Saint John would register their first shot of the period, just before the 12 minute mark.
Saint John would provide little resistance in the final eight minutes as well, as the last goal of the night would go the way of the Screaming Eagles. Sokolov found the back of the net again for a two goal effort on the night, and Kevin Mandolese picked up the shutout.
Mandolese stopped 15 saves in the shutout, while D’Orio stopped 36 of 41 shots in the loss.
Screaming Eagles captain Declan Smith missed the game serving a one game suspension for participating in a staged fight on Thursday night against Rimouski. He’ll be eligible to return tomorrow afternoon.
The same two teams will clash tomorrow afternoon in Saint John. Puck drop will be 3 PM. You can catch all the action beginning with the pre-game show with Patrick McNeil at 2:30 on 1270 AM CJCB or online at www.cjcbradio.com.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Egor Sokolov (Cape Breton) 2 goals, 2 assists,
2. Mathias Laferrière (Cape Breton) 2 assists, 4 shots
3. Michael Campoli (Saint John) 1 shot, 1 hit
Scratches For Cape Breton: Alex Drover, Declan Smith (suspension)
Scratches For Saint John: Nicholas Deakin-Poot (injury), Christian Clark (injury), Carson Gallant, Kevin Mason
Final Shots On Goal: 41-15 in favour of Cape Breton
Cape Breton Power Play: 1/6
Saint John Power Play: 0/4
